Outlet support



Nov. 3, 1931.

H. A; WRSGHT OUTLET SUPPORT Fileci March 11, 1929 HARRY AWTESFHT Patented Nov. 3, 1931 UNITED STATES HARRY A. WRIGHT, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS OUTLET SUPPORT Application filed March 11, 1929. Serial No.-345,930.

My invention relates to outlet supports for lighting fixtures, switches, connecting plugs and similar devices.

One of the objects of my invention. is to provide an outlet support of this character which is of simple and strong construction, may be quickly and easily installed, and when installed is securely and rigidly held.

Another of the objects of the invention is to provide an outlet support of this character which is particularly adapted for use in the wiring of old buildings, the outlet supports at present in general commercial use being unsatisfactory for this purpose especially.

These and other objects of the invention and features whereby they may be attained will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view, partly in section, of a device embodying the features of my invention in their preferred form, shown applied to a portion of a plaster wall or ceiling;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the device and wall; and

Fig. 4. is a view corresponding to Fig. 2 but showing a slightly modified construction.

My improved device is illustrated in the drawings applied to a portion of a plaster wall or ceiling, the plaster being shown at 2 and the laths at 4. The device comprises aplate 6 of fiber or other insulating material having a centrally located square aperture 8, and two apertures 10 equally spaced at opposite sides of the central aperture 8. The apertures 10 may receive loom encased wires 12 which are adapted to be secured to the plate by means of screws 14, the screws beingapplied through shoulders 15 that are formed by cutaway portions in the plate. The device is further provided with an anchoring bolt 16. This bolt is T-shaped and is made of square stock with its shank of suitable size so as to closely fit in the square aperture 8 in the plate. The outer end of the shank is screw-threaded to receive a nut 18 (Fig. 2).

To apply the device two holes are bored through the wall at points spaced apart and i in the same horizontal plane. The material between these holes is then cut away so as to form a horizontal elongated opening 22 having round ends. The loom encased wires 10 to be connected to the lighting fixture or other device are then threaded up through said bored holes, or in case the wires are encased in a single metal covering they are brought up through one hole, the other hole then remaining vacant.

The head of the anchoring bolt 16 is then passed through the elongated opening 22 and turned so as to be in upright position or transversely of the opening as shown in the drawings. The anchoring bolt is held in this position in any suitable manner such as by inserting an awl or a piece of wire through a suitably positioned aperture 24 in the shank of the bolt. The wires are then inserted through the holes 10 in the plate 6, and the square hole 8 in the plate passed over the projecting end of the shank of the bolt. The nut 18 or hickey 20 or other securing means is then screwed on the end of the shank. Previously to screwing up tight, the awl or piece of wire is removed from the shank and the plate turned so as to secure proper upright positioning of the head of the bolt. When the nut or hickey is screwed up tight the encased wires are pulled out the desired distance and the set screws 14 screwed down so as to securely hold them in place. The ends of the wires may then be inserted through the tube 26 of the lighting fixture or other electrical. device that is to be supported, and the tubing secured to the nut 18 by means of a hickey 30, the nut being cylindrical and screw-threaded so as to permit the hickey to be screwed thereon. In Fig. 4 a

hickey 31 is shown screwed directly on the end of the shank.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that my improved outlet support is particularly adapted for use in wiring old buildings, although obviously it also may be used to advantage in wiring new buildings or build ings under construction.

As will be evident to those skilled in the art, my invention permits various modifications without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

hat I claim is: V

1. An outlet support of the class described having, in combination, a device having a square shank adapted to be extended through an elongated opening in a wall and having an elongated transverse head adapted to engage the outer side of said wall transversely of said opening, the head of the bolt being adapted to be passed through said opening and turned into said position, a plate adapted to be positioned against the inner side of said wall and provided with a square aperture through which said shank extends, and means engaging the end of said shank for clamping said plate against the wall.

2. An outlet support of the class described having, in combination, a plate having a square aperture therein, a T-shaped bolt having a square shank extending through said aperture, said plate being adapted to be positioned against the inner side of the wall of a room and the head of said bolt being adapted to be passed through an elongated opening in said wall and positioned against the outer side of said wall transversely of said opening, and a member screw-threaded on the end of said bolt for clamping said plate against said wall.

3. An outlet support of the class described having, in combination, a device having a shank adapted to be inserted through an elongated opening in a wall and having an elongated transverse head engaging the outer side of said wall transversely of said opening. a plate adapted to be positioned against the inner side of said wall and provided with an aperture through which said shank extends, and means engaging the end of said shank for clamping said plate against the wall, said plate having other apertures through which extend and are secured insulated wires projecting through said elongated opening.

at. An outlet support of the class described having, in combination, a plate having an aperture therein. a T-shaped bolt having a shank adapted to be inserted through said aperture, the head of said bolt being adapted to be passed through an elongated opening in a wall and positioned inst the outer side of said wah transversely of said opening, and said plate being adapted to be positioned against the inner side of said wall and having openings which when the plate is thus positioned are arranged in alinement with the end portions of said elongated opening, and a member screw-threaded on the end of said belt for clamping the plate against said wall.

5. An electric fixture support of the class described, comprising T-shaped member having a square shank and an elongated head, a plate with a square aperture to receive the shank and threaded means on the end of the shank for forcing the plate toward the head and for supporting an electric fixture.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this first day of March, 1929.

HARRY A. lVRIGI-IT. 

